Last Updated on 09/25/2018 by Chris Gampat
Yes; it seems that Leica, Panasonic and Sigma are indeed working on something huge together.
This news from Photokina 2018 is amongst the most exciting as it means that there is going to be a whole lot more full frame camera competition on the market. Leica, Panasonic and Sigma are announcing a joint initiative on the L mount. For the uninitiated, the L mount is Leica’s other mount besides the M. The L mount is key to the Leica T series and the Leica SL. For years, Leica and Panasonic had a relationship of sharing with one another and this is going to continue on in the future. But now Sigma is coming into that; and naturally it would just make sense that one of the world’s greatest lens makers come in.
The three heads of the companies gathered in front of journalists at Photokina 2018 to talk about how the new L moun initiative will help their business. Sigma even admitted to trying to create their own full frame camera but that in the process, they gave up. Instead, they decided to join up with Leica and Panasonic to create new cameras, lenses, and innovate together.
As for their vision for the new L mount?
Leica: It’s about improving Leica’s products and the format that they’ve created.
Panasonic: Expanding into full frame (vs Micro Four Thirds) and seeing what the format can do. Their GH5 and GH5s do well, but they describe it as a “rocket” for their business.
Sigma: By supplying unique, innovative and high end products. Considering what Sigma has been doing in the past few years, I think that it’s very highly possible. Just imagine the company’s 14mm f1.8 on a Leica SL natively. That’s got to be heavy, but it will be awesome.
We’re going to hear more about this in the Panasonic conference.